Short Stay 'C' — Visiting Family/Friends Verified 2026-06-09Ireland Family / Friend Visit Visa (Short Stay 'C')
Short stay 'C' visit visa for Indian citizens visiting family or friends resident in Ireland — up to 90 days. Apply online via AVATS, submit originals at VFS Global / the Embassy of Ireland.
No visa is ever guaranteed — the final decision always rests with the Ireland visa authority. We make sure your file is presented at its strongest.
Processing
Generally about 8 weeks from the date your documents are received by the application office (can be longer if documents are missing, need verification, or because of personal circumstances)
Stay Duration
Up to 90 days (short stay 'C')
Starting Fee
≈ ₹5,500
Apply At
8 VFS centres
Where do you stand?
Tell us your situation
Pick what fits — no long forms, just a quick WhatsApp or a call.
Why files get refused
Most Ireland visit visa refusals come down to a few fixable things
Refusals are common now, and the government fee is non-refundable. The good news: almost every reason below is something we can strengthen before you submit.
Failure to disclose a previous visa refusal (any country) — an automatic refusal ground
Insufficient or unexplained finances — bank balance does not credibly cover the trip
Weak obligations to return home — no clear job, business, property or family ties to India
Incomplete or non-original documentation, or letters not on proper headed paper / missing certified translations
Inconsistent or unconvincing purpose of visit vs the supporting documents and itinerary
Documents not received within 30 days of creating the AVATS application
What we actually do
We build a stronger file — you don't guess
Check your profile before filing
We tell you honestly if the case is ready — before you spend the government fee.
Review funds & ITR alignment
Bank statement, income and tax records presented the way officers expect.
Structure purpose & cover letter
A clear travel story that answers the officer's real questions.
Show strong ties to India
Job, business, property and family framed as genuine reasons to return.
Sponsor & invitation papers
If family is inviting you, we line their documents up with your profile — a common silent refusal trigger.
Guide the full submission
Online portal or VFS appointment, biometrics and passport steps — supported until the decision.
Refused before?
We rebuild refused Ireland cases the right way.
Reapplying with the same file usually earns the same answer. We find the real reason first, then rebuild — no guarantees, just a properly prepared reapplication.
Before you reapply, we check:
- What your refusal letter actually says — and what it doesn't.
- Whether the officer's GCMS notes are worth pulling for the real reason.
- Which documents were weak: funds, employment, purpose, or ties.
- Whether reapplying now — or strengthening first — is the smarter move.
Same flat fee whether it's your first application or a reapplication.
Your whole Ireland Family Visit Visa,
handled for one honest price.
A strong Ireland file clearly explains your travel purpose, funds, and ties to India. We structure and submit everything properly — so your case is presented clearly and professionally.
All-in · 18% GST included · no hidden charges
File-ready in 3–5 working days after documents
5★ · 92 reviews · reply in 5 min
Everything below — included, nothing extra
- Document checklist
- Application form guidance
- Document review
- Cover letter
- Purpose of travel structure
- Financial proof review
- Sponsor document guidance
- Submission & appointment support
- Post-submission guidance
Not sure you qualify? Start with a refundable ₹499 possibility report — an honest Yes / Maybe / No, credited to this fee.
Price is for our consultancy service only and includes 18% GST. No agency can guarantee a visa — the final decision rests with the visa authority.
Your fee, justified
₹16,999 fee — what exactly is included?
Our professional fee isn't just form-filling. It covers complete Ireland visitor visa preparation, document & refusal-risk review, financial-proof structuring, submission support and post-filing guidance. Tap any item to see what's inside.
Before we prepare your Ireland visitor visa file, we understand your complete profile — every applicant is different, so no two files are built the same way.
- Purpose of travel
- Employment or business background
- Monthly income & savings
- Funds available for the trip
- Family ties in India
- Property / assets, if any
- Previous travel history
- Relatives, friends or a sponsor in Ireland, if any
- Previous visa refusals, if any
- Planned trip duration
- Who is paying for the trip
- Whether the trip is realistic for your profile
A visitor visa isn't approved just because documents are attached — the purpose, funds, travel plan and return ties all have to support each other.
We don't hand everyone the same checklist. After understanding your profile, we build one for your exact case type:
- Salaried
- Business owner
- Self-employed
- Farmer / agriculture income
- Student or minor
- Retired parent
- Housewife / dependent
- Family visit
- Tourist visit
- Business visitor
- Previous refusal
- Sponsor-supported
- First-time traveller
This avoids missing key documents — and avoids piling on documents that aren't explained properly.
We review your documents before preparing and submitting, checking they're complete, readable, consistent and well-arranged:
- Passport & photographs
- Bank statements
- Salary slips
- ITR / Form 16
- Employment & leave-approval letters
- Business / GST / registration proof
- Income proof
- Property documents, if any
- Family & marriage documents, if applicable
- Invitation & sponsor documents, if applicable
- Previous refusal letter, if any
- Travel history, itinerary & stay proof
Funds are one of the most common refusal triggers. A high balance alone isn't enough if the money doesn't look genuine, stable, and tied to your income. We check:
- Whether the balance is reasonable for the trip
- Average balance vs trip cost
- Sudden large deposits that need explaining
- Salary / business income vs bank statement
- ITR vs income profile
- Whether you can afford the trip without leaning entirely on a sponsor
- Whether sponsor support is properly explained
- Whether funds look genuine and traceable
We help structure the financial side professionally so it reads as genuine, not borrowed for the application.
We help present a clear, realistic purpose — tourism, a holiday, a family/relative visit, an event, a business meeting, or parents visiting children — and make sure it lines up with your dates, funds, itinerary and documents.
A weak or vague purpose makes a file look doubtful. We keep it clear, simple and professional.
We prepare or structure the main explanation letter — a professional summary that makes your case easy for the officer to understand. It covers:
- Who you are and why you want to visit
- How long you'll stay and where
- Who is paying for the trip
- What you do in India
- Which financial documents are attached
- Your family ties in India
- Why you'll return after the visit
- If previously refused — what has changed since
This is not a guarantee letter — it's a clear, professional explanation of your case.
The officer must be satisfied you'll leave Ireland after your authorized stay. We identify and present your reasons to return:
- Job continuity or business ownership
- Regular income source
- Spouse / children / parents in India
- Dependents and family responsibilities
- Property or assets in India
- Education or business commitments
- Previous travel compliance, if any
If someone in Ireland is inviting you, we guide the sponsor-side documents:
- Invitation letter
- Sponsor status proof (passport / PR / citizenship)
- Sponsor employment & income proof
- Sponsor bank statement, if needed
- Relationship & communication proof
- Who bears expenses & stay arrangement
A sponsor supports the case but never guarantees approval — your own purpose, funds and ties must still be strong. We also flag if a file is leaning too heavily on the sponsor.
We guide or assist with the application form and details (online portal or the VFS/embassy form, depending on Ireland), and check consistency between the form and your documents:
- Personal, passport & travel-history details
- Employment & education history
- Family information
- Purpose of visit & funding details
- Sponsor information, if applicable
- Previous-refusal declarations
- Background questions
- Correct document categories
Wrong, incomplete or inconsistent information can hurt this application — and future ones too.
How a file is lodged depends on the country — some are fully online, while others (most Schengen states) need you to complete the form first, then book a VFS appointment and submit a physical file in person. We guide the exact Ireland process:
- Completing the application form first, where required, to unlock the appointment
- Booking the VFS / embassy appointment
- Arranging documents in the right order — for upload or the VFS counter
- Guiding the visa-fee payment
- Final review before submission or your VFS visit
- What to carry to the appointment (originals, photos, forms)
- Submitting / lodging and saving the confirmation
- What happens after submission
After submission, if biometrics are required, we guide you through:
- Biometrics Instruction Letter
- VFS appointment booking
- Documents to carry
- What to expect at the VFS centre
- How biometrics update in your application
- What to do once biometrics are done
Biometrics fee is separate, paid to the authority / VFS as applicable.
Our support doesn't stop at submission. We stay connected and guide you on:
- How to check application updates
- What official messages mean
- What to do if more documents are requested
- What to do after a Passport Request
- VFS passport submission & courier return
- Decision-update explanation
- Next steps after approval
- Basic guidance if refused
What's not included (paid direct, at actual cost)
- Government / embassy visa fee
- Biometrics fee
- VFS service charges
- VFS courier & SMS charges
- VFS premium-lounge charges
- Travel insurance
- Flight tickets
- Hotel bookings
- Translation charges
- Notary / attestation
- Medical exam, if ever required
- Any other third-party charges
No agency can guarantee a visa — the final decision is always the visa officer's. Our role is to prepare, review, structure and present your file professionally from the documents and profile you provide.
Good to know before you apply
Rules that apply to every Ireland visa type — worth a quick read so nothing trips up your file.
- 1Ireland is NOT a Schengen country and does not issue e-visas — a Schengen visa does NOT admit you to Ireland. Apply through AVATS only.
- 2Ireland does NOT issue family visas — every traveller must apply for a SEPARATE visa, and a parent/legal guardian applies on behalf of each child under 18.
- 3Two-step process: create the application ONLINE on AVATS, then PRINT, sign and date the Summary Application Form and submit it with your ORIGINAL documents (hardcopy only) and fee to the application office shown on the form.
- 4Submit your documents within 30 days of creating the AVATS application, or it may be cancelled.
- 5Originals only — do NOT submit documents on USB sticks, memory cards, CD-ROMs, or via Dropbox/Sharefile; only hardcopy documents are accepted.
- 6Any document not in English or Irish must have a full certified translation; non-EEA civil documents (birth/marriage/etc.) must be attested/apostilled by the issuing country's Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
- 7Letters from companies/colleges must be on official headed paper with full name, postal address, landline, website and an official email (Yahoo/Hotmail not accepted) and a written (not electronic) signature.
- 8You MUST disclose every previous visa refusal (any country) — hiding a refusal will get your Irish application refused.
- 9Apply about 3 months before travel; do not buy travel tickets before you receive the decision. Biometrics may be required.
- 10A visa only lets you TRAVEL to Ireland — an immigration officer at the border can still refuse entry. The landing stamp shows how long you may stay (up to 90 days for a 'C' visa).
- 11There is NO appeal for short-stay 'C' visa refusals — you must lodge a fresh application addressing the refusal reasons.
Who Can Apply
- Indian citizens visiting family members resident in Ireland
- Indian citizens visiting friends resident in Ireland
- Parents / relatives visiting an Indian student or worker living in Ireland
- Applicants with a host able to provide an invitation and accommodation
Not eligible under this visa:
- Anyone intending to work (paid or unpaid) in Ireland
- Stays over 90 days, settlement or long-term family reunification — a long stay 'D' visa / join-family route applies instead
- Pure tourism with no host — apply for the Tourist Visa instead
- Business meetings — apply for the Business Visa instead
- Anyone wishing to rely on Irish public services such as public hospitals
Previously refused?
Same feeWe rebuild refused Ireland cases the right way.
What it costs
Government & VFS fees
Paid directly to Ireland / VFS — these are not our service fee, and we never mark them up.
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Short stay 'C' visa — Single entry | ≈ ₹5,500 |
| Short stay 'C' visa — Multiple entry | ≈ ₹9,200 |
| VFS Global service charge | Varies |
The visa fee is set in euro by the Irish authorities (€60 single / €100 multiple for short stay 'C' visas) and is converted to INR at the consular/VFS exchange rate, so the rupee amount changes periodically — always confirm the live figure plus the VFS service charge on the VFS Global Ireland India page before paying. The visa fee covers the administrative cost of processing only; it is NON-REFUNDABLE if you withdraw your application or if the visa is refused. Some applicants are exempt from the visa fee — check the official exemptions list. Extra charges (for example consular fees and VFS optional services such as courier or SMS) may also apply and do not affect the decision.
What to gather
Documents required
Having a document isn't the same as presenting it right — that's the part we handle.
Core Documents
5 items- Signed and dated AVATS Summary Application Form (Application Summary Sheets)Required
Generated by AVATS; print, sign and date it.
- Current passportRequired
Valid for the trip; include a full copy of all previous passports.
- Two colour passport photographsRequired
Not more than 6 months old.
- Application/cover letterRequired
Explaining who you are visiting, the relationship, the dates and who is paying.
- Proof of visa fee paymentRequired
Host / Invitation Documentation
4 items- Invitation letter from the host in IrelandRequired
From the family member or friend you are visiting, with their full address, contact details and the exact dates of your stay.
- Proof of the host's residence / status in IrelandRequired
Copy of the host's Irish Residence Permit (IRP) / immigration stamp / passport or proof of citizenship.
- Proof of relationship to the host
For family: birth/marriage certificates linking you to the host (with certified translation/attestation where needed); for friends, evidence of the connection.
- Accommodation planRequired
Staying with the host counts — supported by the invitation; otherwise hotel bookings.
Travel, Finance & Compliance
4 items- Medical or travel insuranceRequired
Covering the duration of your trip.
- Finance plan / proof of fundsRequired
Original bank statements; or, where the host sponsors you, the host's undertaking plus their income/bank proof.
- Evidence of obligations to return homeRequired
Job, business, property or family ties to India.
- Details of any previous visa refusals (any country)Required
Must be disclosed — non-disclosure causes refusal.
Required · optional / if applicable
The journey.
5 steps from intake to approval. Curved spine on the right shows the natural pace — never as linear as government sites pretend.
- 01
Get the host's invitation and status proof
Obtain the invitation letter (host's address, contact, exact stay dates) plus proof of the host's residence/status in Ireland (IRP, immigration stamp, passport or citizenship).
- 02
Create your AVATS application
Complete AVATS online selecting Visa type 'Short Stay (C)' and Reason for travel 'Visit Family/Friend'. Note your Visa Application Transaction Number.
- 03
Print and sign the Summary Application Form
Print, sign and date the generated Application Summary Sheets, which tell you where to submit.
- 04
Submit documents and pay the fee
Within 30 days, submit the printed form plus original documents and fee to the application office — for Indian applicants via VFS Global Ireland or the Embassy of Ireland, New Delhi. Give biometrics if requested.
- 05
Track and collect
Track via AVATS / VFS; decisions generally take about 8 weeks. If approved, the visa is placed in your passport and returned.
What works
7 levers that flip a borderline case.
- Complete AVATS carefully and honestly — false or misleading information can lead to refusal and a 5-year ban from Irish visas.
- Disclose ALL past visa refusals (any country); non-disclosure is itself a refusal ground.
- Submit your printed, signed Summary Application Form plus original documents within 30 days of creating the AVATS application.
- Carry an ORIGINAL bank statement covering the last 6 months plus ITR/Form 16 to evidence finances and ties to India.
What kills cases
Top 3 refusal triggers we see.
- 1Failure to disclose a previous visa refusal (any country) — an automatic refusal ground
- 2Insufficient or unexplained finances — bank balance does not credibly cover the trip
- 3Weak obligations to return home — no clear job, business, property or family ties to India
Download official forms
Official forms are hosted by VFS Global — we don't host third-party forms ourselves, so you always get the latest version.
How to download from VFS:
- Click the form name below — opens the official VFS Global page for Ireland
- Select the visa category you're applying for (e.g. Tourist, Business, Student)
- Scroll down to the "Download Form" section at the bottom
- Click the PDF icon next to the form name → saves to your device
AVATS — Online Visa Application (Automated Visa Application and Tracking System)
Create and complete your Irish visa application online here. The system generates a Summary Application Form — print, sign and date it and submit it WITH your supporting documents. There is no separate downloadable paper application form, and Ireland does not issue e-visas.
VFS Global Ireland (India) — appointment & document submission
After completing AVATS, Indian applicants submit the printed summary form, original documents and fee here (or as directed on the summary form). Book any required biometrics appointment via VFS.
VFS application centres
Quiz not yet available for this visa type
We're actively building per-visa quizzes. For now, the best way to assess your eligibility for Ireland Family / Friend Visit Visa (Short Stay 'C') is a free 1-on-1 consultation with our team.
Free · No obligation · Reply in minutesFrequently asked
Questions, answered straight
No. Ireland does NOT issue family visas — every traveller, including each child, must apply for a separate short stay 'C' visit visa through AVATS. A parent or legal guardian applies on behalf of any person under 18, with extra child-safety conditions.
Your host should provide an invitation letter with their full address, contact details and your exact stay dates, plus proof of their residence/status in Ireland (Irish Residence Permit / immigration stamp / passport or proof of citizenship). For family visits, include documents proving your relationship.
Yes — if your host sponsors the visit, include their written undertaking along with their income/bank proof. It is still wise to show your own bank statements and strong ties to India to strengthen the application.
No. The short stay 'C' visit visa is only for visits up to 90 days. Joining family long-term or settling requires a long stay 'D' join-family route decided by the Irish immigration authorities, which has its own eligibility categories and is not a short-stay visit visa.
Still have a question about your case? Ask us directly — we usually reply in 5 minutes.
Before you apply
Two ways to file your Ireland visa.
One quietly burns your fee, your trip and your record. The other gets it right the first time.
Do it yourself
The risky route
- You guess which papers Ireland actually wants — one missing or wrongly-framed document triggers a refusal.
- You copy a cover letter off YouTube or Google — often the exact template embassies already flag as weak.
- You apply during a known peak-rejection window without realising it.
- Embassy & VFS fees are non-refundable — refused means your money, flights and leave are gone.
- One refusal stamp follows you for life — every future visa, anywhere, must declare it.
Typical result
~1 in 2 visitor files refused
With SureshotVisa
Professionally guided
- A licensed consultant checks your case honestly before you spend a rupee on embassy fees.
- We build your Ireland file the way the embassy approves — documents, cover letter, financials.
- We catch the weak-ties, funding and intent issues behind 70% of Indian refusals — and fix them first.
- We've rescued hundreds of files that were already refused once and got them approved.
- Govt of Punjab licensed (Licence 849/DC/PTA/PLA/LC-3/2024) · 1200+ approvals.
Typical result
1200+ approvals · refused files rescued
Why DIY goes wrong
How a self-filed application turns into a refusal.
- 1
You feel ready
A few YouTube videos make the process look simple.
- 2
You file it yourself
You submit a sensitive Ireland visa file on your own.
- 3
One detail misreads
A small framing slip looks like weak ties or unclear intent.
- 4
Refusal
Now every future visa, anywhere, must declare it.
Once you've been refused, you learn the hard way how much the small details mattered. We'd rather you never collect that first stamp.
Trusted by families
We've helped many families get their Ireland visa — the easy way.
From first-time Ireland visa applicants to cases that were refused elsewhere, our licensed team has guided families through Ireland's exact requirements — so the file is approved the first time, without the stress, guesswork or risk of a refusal.
Other Ireland Visa Types
Ireland Tourist Visa (Short Stay 'C')
Short stay 'C' visa for Indian citizens travelling to Ireland for tourism, sightseeing and leisure — up to 90 days. Apply online via AVATS, then submit original documents at VFS Global / the Embassy of Ireland.
View guideIreland Business Visa (Short Stay 'C')
Short stay 'C' business visa for Indian professionals attending meetings, negotiations, conferences or short work (14 days or less) in Ireland — up to 90 days. Apply online via AVATS, submit originals at VFS Global / the Embassy.
View guideIreland Student Visa (Long Stay 'D')
Long stay 'D' visa for Indian students enrolled in an eligible Irish programme longer than 90 days. Apply online via AVATS, submit originals at VFS Global / the Embassy; register with immigration after arrival.
View guideIreland Work Visa / Permit (Long Stay 'D' — Information Only)
Information only — Irish work routes need an employment permit / approval first, then a long stay 'D' work visa. SureshotVisa does NOT process or provide Ireland work visas, employment permits or the Atypical Working Scheme.
View guideSource & Disclaimer
Data on this page is sourced from the official VFS Global Ireland website and Embassy of Ireland. Last verified 2026-06-09. Always verify with the official embassy before applying — fees and requirements change without notice.
Ready?
Want us to check your Ireland visa case?
Share your travel purpose, employment/business profile, funds, and any previous refusal letter. We'll tell you honestly where your file stands.